Side-selling in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo's coffee sector

Published 2021년 3월 29일

Tridge summary

The article highlights the challenges faced by coffee farmers in the Eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including poor infrastructure, armed conflict, and high taxes, which hinder the production and export of coffee. Despite these challenges, the formation of coffee cooperatives has improved the lives of thousands of farmers by providing higher prices for their produce. However, a significant number of farmers still engage in 'side-selling' their coffee to non-cooperative traders due to immediate financial needs and a lack of liquidity. The article emphasizes the need for continued support for these cooperatives and investment in young farmers, who are key to the sector's future and showing interest in cooperative membership. The article also mentions initiatives like tree nurseries, which are providing alternative income sources and contributing to the rejuvenation of coffee plantations.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

In the highlands of the Eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, farmers produce a delicious coffee. However, production circumstances are all but easy. “While the Arabica coffees of the Kivu’s and Ituri have tremendous potential, it seems as if the circumstances these farmers work in try to do their utmost best to make reaping the benefits as complex as possible”, says Wannes Slosse, a Belgian PhD-student at the University of Ghent examining Rikolto-supported coffee cooperatives in the region. Bad infrastructure and roads, a continuous threat of armed conflict, and high and arbitrary taxes make it difficult to get the coffee across the border and obtain a fair price for it. Collective action through uniting farmers in cooperatives has proven to be successful in addressing part of these issues. Coffee cooperatives as Kawa Kanzururu, Kawa Kabuya, SCPNCK, Kawa Maber, Bblo Kawa and the still young Kahawa Umoja Wa Rutshuru improve the lives of thousands of coffee ...

Source: Rikolto